So be gentle with him, for it will
take time to correct the faults of such an Adam.
But don't give up, Eve, dear. Be gentle, but be firm and persistent. Use
your ingenuity in finding ways to make Adam _want_ to please you; and if
you can look back over a year or two and see that he _has_ improved in
_some_ respects at least, that there are even one or two little tricks
of niceness which have become almost if not quite habitual, then hold a
little praise meeting and rejoice. Praise him for learning, and praise
yourself for what you have succeeded in teaching him. And if your
success has come _without friction_, if you have inspired Adam to _want_
to please you, then glorify yourself exceedingly--_all to yourself, of
course_. If you let Adam know you are managing him even for his own
good, he will show his independence by going back to his old
tricks--just as _you_ would do if in his place. If there has been
friction, or lack of success, let it wake you up to use henceforth _more
of the wisdom and love which is in you_.
Now this little homily is written ostensibly to women; but all my men
subscribers will read it and applaud. _I wonder how many of them will
see that every word of it is as applicable to themselves, as to their
mothers, sisters, sweethearts, wives_? Every Eve is Adam at heart, and
every Adam is Eve; and what in sauce for Adam will prove equally
effective with Eve.
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